RULE NO. 14ЧCOMMENTS ON THE RULES
II. Basic Principles
A. CONTACT SITUATIONS C. FOULS: FLAGRANTЧ
UNSPORTSMANLIKE
D. ILLEGAL DEFENSIVE
ALIGNMENTS
G. PHYSICAL CONTACTЧ
SUSPENSION
J. PLAYER/TEAM
CONDUCT AND DRESS
M. PUNCHING, FIGHTING
AND ELBOW FOULS
P. GUIDELINES FOR
INFECTION CONTROL
Q. DEAD BALL, LIVE BALL,
BALL IS ALIVE
Section II. Basic Principles
1. Incidental Contact 2. Guarding an Opponent 3. Screening 4. The Dribble B. FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT C. FOULS: FLAGRANTЧUNSPORTSMANLIKE
To be unsportsmanlike is to act in a manner unbecoming to the image of professional basketball. It consists of acts of deceit, disrespect of officials and profanity. The penalty for such action is a technical foul. Repeated acts shall result in expulsion from the game and a minimum fine of $250. D. ILLEGAL DEFENSIVE ALIGNMENTS E. CHARGING-BLOCKING F. GAME CANCELLATION G. PHYSICAL CONTACTЧSUSPENSION H. PROTEST I. SHATTERING BACKBOARDS The Commissioner will review all actions and plays involved in the shattering of a backboard. J. PLAYER/TEAM CONDUCT AND DRESS K. OFFENSIVE 3-SECONDS L. PLAYER CONDUCTЧSPECTATORS M. PUNCHING, FIGHTING AND ELBOW FOULS N. EXPIRATION OF TIME O. VERBAL FAN INTERFERENCE P. GUIDELINES FOR INFECTION CONTROL Q. DEAD BALL, LIVE BALL, BALL IS ALIVE R. TAUNTING
1. Incidental Contact
2. Guarding an Opponent
3. Screening
4. The Dribble
a. The mere fact that contact occurs does not necessarily constitute a foul. Contact which is incidental to an effort by a player to play an opponent, reach a loose ball, or perform normal defensive or offensive movements, should not be considered illegal. If, however, a player attempts to play an opponent from a position where he has no reasonable chance to perform without making contact with his opponent, the responsibility is on the player in this position.
b. The hand is considered Уpart of the ballФ when it is in contact with the ball. Therefore, contact on that hand by a defender while it is in contact with the ball is not illegal.
In all guarding situations, a player is entitled to any spot on the court he desires, provided he gets to that spot first and without contact with an opponent.
In all guarding situations during a live ball, a player is entitled to any spot on the court he desires, provided that he gets to the spot first without contact with an opponent.
In all guarding situations during a dead ball, the defensive player(s) must be allowed to take a position between his man and the basket.
a. In most guarding situations, the guard must be facing his opponent at the moment he assumes a guarding position after which no particular facing is required.
b. A player may continue to move after gaining a guarding position in the path of an opponent provided he is not moving directly or obliquely toward his opponent when contact occurs. A player is never permitted to move into the path of an opponent after the opponent has jumped into the air.
c. A player who extends an arm, shoulder, hip or leg into the path of an opponent and thereby causes contact is not considered to have a legal position in the path of an opponent.
d. A player is entitled to an erect (vertical) position even to the extent of holding his arms above his shoulders, as in post play or when double-teaming in pressing tactics.
e. A player is not required to maintain any specific distance from an opponent.
f. Any player who conforms to the above is absolved from responsibility for any contact by an opponent which may dislodge or tend to dislodge such player from the position which he has attained and is maintaining legally. If contact occurs, the official must decide whether the contact is incidental or a foul has been committed.
The following are the usual situations to which the foregoing principles apply:
a. Guarding a player with the ball
b. Guarding a player who is trying for a goal
c. Switching to a player with the ball
d. Guarding a dribbler
e. Guarding a player without the ball
f. Guarding a post player with or without the ball
g. Guarding a rebounder
When a player screens in front of or at the side of a stationary opponent, he may be as close as he desires providing he does not make contact. His opponent can see him and, therefore, is expected to detour around the screen.
If he screens behind a stationary opponent, the opponent must be able to take a normal step backward without contact. Because the opponent is not expected to see a screener behind him, the player screened is given latitude of movement.
To screen a moving opponent, the player must stop soon enough to permit his opponent to stop or change direction. The distance between the player screening and his opponent will depend upon the speed at which the players are moving.
If two opponents are moving in the same direction and path, the player who is behind is responsible for contact. The player in front may stop or slow his pace, but he may not move backward or sidewards into his opponent. The player in front may or may not have the ball. This situation assumes the two players have been moving in identically the same direction and path before contact.
If the dribblerТs path is blocked, he is expected to pass or shoot; that is, he should not try to dribble by an opponent unless there is a reasonable chance of getting by without contact.
A player is attempting a field goal when he has the ball and is (in the judgment of the official) in the act of shooting or trying to attempt to shoot. It is not essential that the ball leave the shooterТs hand. His arm(s) might be held so that he cannot actually make an attempt. He is thus deprived of an opportunity to score and is entitled to two free throw attempts.
If a player is fouled when tapping a tossed ball or a rebound toward or into the basket, he is not considered to be Уtrying for goal.Ф If a live ball is in flight when time expires, the goal, if made, shall count.
A flagrant foulЧpenalty (1) is unnecessary contact committed by a player against an opponent.
A flagrant foulЧpenalty (2) is unnecessary and excessive contact committed by a player against an opponent. It is an unsportsmanlike act and the offender is ejected immediately.
The offender will be subject to a fine not exceeding $20,000 and/or suspension by the Commissioner.
See Rule 12BЧSection IVЧb (1) and (7) for interpretation and penalties.
The term Illegal Defense has replaced Zone Defense in NBA usage. The rule now in place, supported by guidelines, defines approved coverage by defensive players and teams. Violations of these rules and guidelines will be noted as Illegal Defense.
A defensive player shall not be permitted to move into the path of an offensive player once he has picked up the ball in an effort to either pass or shoot.
If contact occurs on this play, and it is anything but negligible and/or incidental, a blocking foul shall be called on the defensive player. Any field goal attempt, if successful, shall count, as long as the ball has not been returned to the floor following the officialТs whistle.
If a defensive player acquires a position directly under the basket/backboard on anything but a Уbaseline drive,Ф he shall be responsible if contact occurs. An offensive foul should never be called under these conditions. The offensive player remains a shooter until he has regained a normal playing position on the floor. Many times this type of play is allowed to continue if the goal is successful.
The opposite is also true. If an offensive player causes contact with a defensive player, who has established a legal position prior to the offensive player having picked up the ball in an effort to either pass or shoot, and it is anything but negligible and/or incidental, an offensive foul shall be called, and no points may be scored. A defensive player may turn slightly to protect himself, but is never allowed to bend over and submarine an opponent.
On a Уdrive-inФ shot, if the defensive player has established a legal position in front of the basket/backboard, the offensive player shall be responsible for any illegal contact which occurs prior to his having regained his balance on the floor. An offensive foul shall be called and no points are to be awarded if the field goal is successful.
The mere fact that contact occurs on these type of plays, or any other similar play, does not necessarily mean that a personal foul has been committed. The officials must decide whether the contact is negligible and/or incidental, judging each situation separately.
In judging this play, the officials must be aware that if EITHER player has been placed at a disadvantage by the contact which has occurred, then a personal foul MUST be called on the player responsible for that contact.
For the purpose of game cancellation, the officialsТ jurisdiction begins with the opening tipoff. Prior to this, it shall be the decision of the home management whether or not playing conditions are such to warrant postponement.
However, once the game begins, if because of extremely hazardous playing conditions the question arises whether or not the game should be canceled, the crew chief shall see that EVERY effort is made to continue the game before making the decision to terminate it.
Any player or coach guilty of intentional physical contact with an official shall automatically be suspended without pay for one game. A fine and/or longer period of suspension will result if circumstances so dictate.
Protests are not permitted during the course of a game. In order to file a protest, the procedure, as set forth in the NBA constitution, is as follows: УIn order to protest against or appeal from the result of a game, notice thereof must be given to the Commissioner within forty-eight (48) hours after the conclusion of said game, by telegram, stating therein the grounds for such protest. No protest may be filed in connection with any game played during the regular season after midnight of the day of the last game of the regular schedule. A protest in connection with a playoff game must be filed not later than midnight of the day of the game protested. A game may be protested only by a Governor, Alternate Governor or Head Coach. The right of protest shall inure not only to the immediately allegedly aggrieved contestants, but to any other member who can show an interest in the grounds of protest and the results that might be attained if the protest were allowed. Each telegram of protest shall be immediately confirmed by letter and no protest shall be valid unless the letter of confirmation is accompanied by a check in the sum of $1,500 payable to the Association. If the member filing the protest prevails, the $1,500 is to be refunded. If the member does not prevail, the $1,500 is to be forfeited and retained in the Association treasury.
Upon receipt of a protest, the Commissioner shall at once notify the member operating the opposing team in the game protested and require both of said members within five (5) days to file with him such evidence as he may desire bearing upon the issue. The Commissioner shall decide the question raised within five (5) days after receipt of such evidence.
Any player whose contact with the basket ring or backboard causes the backboard to shatter will be penalized in the following manner:
(1) Pre-game and/or Half-time warm-upsЧNo penalty to be assessed by officials.
(2) During the gameЧNon-unsportsmanlike conduct technical foul. Under NO circumstances will that player be ejected from the game.
(1) Each player when introduced, prior to the game, must be uniformly dressed.
(2) Players, coaches and trainers are to stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or on the foul line during the playing of the National Anthem.
(3) Coaches and assistant coaches must wear a sport coat or suit coat.
(4) While playing, players must keep their uniform shirts tucked into their pants, and no T-shirts are allowed.
(5) The only article bearing a commercial УlogoФ which can be worn by players is their shoes.
The offensive player cannot be allowed in the 3-second lane for more than the allotted time. This causes the defensive player to Уhand-checkФ because he cannot control the offensive player for that extended period of time.
If the offensive player is in the 3-second lane for less than three seconds and receives the ball, he must make a move toward the hoop for the official to discontinue his three second count. If he attempts to back the defensive player down, attempting to secure a better position in relation to the basket, offensive three seconds or an offensive foul must be called. If he passes off and immediately makes a move out of the lane, there should be no whistle. The basic concern in this situation is that the offensive player not be allowed any advantage that is not allowed the defensive player by the illegal defensive guidelines.
Any coach, player or trainer who deliberately enters the spectator stands during the game will be automatically ejected and the incident reported by datagram to the Commissioner. Entering the stands to keep a ball in play by a player or the momentum which carries the player into the stands is not considered deliberate. The first row of seats is considered the beginning of the stands.
Violent acts of any nature on the court will not be tolerated. Players involved in altercations will be ejected, fined and/or suspended.
Officials have been instructed to eject a player who throws a punch, whether or not it connects, or an elbow which makes contact above shoulder level. If elbow contact is shoulder level or below, it shall be left to the discretion of the official as to whether the player is ejected. Even if a punch or an elbow goes undetected by the officials during the game, but is detected during a review of a videotape, that player will be penalized.
There is absolutely no justification for fighting in an NBA game. The fact that you may feel provoked by another player is not an acceptable excuse. If a player takes it upon himself to retaliate, he can expect to be subject to appropriate penalties.
NO LESS THAN :00.3 must expire on the game clock when a ball is thrown inbounds and then hit instantly out-of-bounds. If less than :00.3 expires in such a situation, the timer will be instructed to deduct AT LEAST :00.3 from the game clock. If, in the judgment of the official, the play took longer than :00.3, he will instruct the timer to deduct more time. If less than :00.3 remain on the game clock when this situation occurs, the period is over.
NO LESS THAN :00.3 must expire on the game clock when a player secures possession of an inbounds pass and then attempts a field goal. If less than :00.3 expires in such a situation, the timer will be instructed to deduct AT LEAST :00.3 from the game clock. If less than :00.3 remain on the game clock when this situation occurs, the period is over, and the field goal attempt will be disallowed immediately whether successful or unsuccessful.
This guideline shall apply to any field goal attempted by a player after he receives an inbounds pass, OTHER THAN what will be called, for this purpose, a Уtip-inФ or Уalley oop.Ф
A Уtip-inФ is defined as any action in which the ball is deflected, not controlled, by a player and then enters the basket ring. This type of action shall be deemed legal if :00.1 or more remains in a period.
A Уhigh lobФ is defined as a pass which is received by an offensive player while in mid-air, and is followed instantaneously by a field goal attempt. If the reception of the pass and the subsequent Уslam dunkФ is immediately adjacent to the basket ring, this type of action shall be deemed legal if :00.1 or more remains in a period. However, if the Уhigh lobФ attempt is a distance from the basket ring whereby the ball must be controlled in mid-air, either one-handed or two-handed, a minimum of :00.3 is necessary for a field goal to score if successful.
NO LESS than :00.3 must expire on the game clock when a player secures possession of an unsuccessful free throw attempt and immediately requests a timeout. If LESS than :00.3 expires in such a circumstance, the time on the game clock shall be reduced by at least :00.3. Therefore, if :00.3 OR LESS remain on the game clock when the above situation exists, and a player requests a timeout upon securing possession of the ball, the period is over.
During ANY regular or 20-second timeout taken during the FINAL minute of ANY period, the crew chief must meet with his fellow officials to discuss possible timing scenarios, fouls being taken if either team is under the penalty limit, number of timeouts, assistance by all officials on 3-point field goal attempts, rotation or away-from-the play foul.
Regardless of when the horn or red light operates to signify the end of period, the officials will ultimately make the final decision whether to allow or disallow a successful field goal. THE CREW CHIEF MUST TAKE CHARGE OF THE SITUATION.
Any spectator who verbally abuses players and/or coaches in a manner which, in the opinion of the game officials, interferes with the ability of a coach to communicate with his players during the game and/or huddles, will, at the direction of the crew chief, be given one warning by a building security officer. If the same spectator continues to behave in a like manner, the crew chief shall direct a building security officer to eject the spectator from the arena.
If a player suffers a laceration or a wound where bleeding occurs, the officials shall suspend the game at the earliest appropriate time and remove the injured player from the game. The opposing team shall be allowed to substitute one player. The injured player may return to the game when he has received appropriate treatment by medical staff personnel.
If the player returns to the game, the officials shall make certain that any lesion, wound or dermatitis is covered with a dressing that will prevent contamination to and/or from other sources.
If the injured player is awarded a free throw attempt(s) as a result of a personal foul, play shall be suspended as soon as the final attempt is successful or unsuccessful. If the player is involved in a jump ball, play shall be suspended as soon as possession is gained by either team. Caution shall be used when suspending play, so as not to halt a fast break situation.
Mandatory timeouts shall not be granted at any time play is suspended. The offensive team may call a 20-second or regular timeout.
A 20-second or regular timeout may be granted upon request by the head coach after suspension of play.
If treatment is not completed within the allotted time, the head coach may call another timeout or substitute for the injured player. Substitutes are permitted consistent with existing rules on substitution.
If a team has no timeouts remaining when play is suspended, the officials will allow 20 seconds for appropriate treatment. If the treatment is not completed in accordance with paragraph two above, the injured player must be removed immediately. ONLY the injured player may be removed from the game under these circumstances.
No mandatory timeouts may be awarded if play is suspended for the defensive team.
The offensive team will receive a full ten seconds to advance the ball into the frontcourt. The 24 second clock will remain as is or reset to 10, whichever is greater.
After the ball has been dead, it is put into play by a jump ball, throw-in or a free throw attempt. The game clock does not start until the ball is legally touched on the court by a player. However, any floor violation or personal foul which may occur will be penalized.
The ball is live when it is placed at the disposal of the thrower-in, free throw shooter or is tossed by the official on a jump ball. Illegal contact, which occurs prior to the ball becoming live, will be ignored if it is not unsportsmanlike.
The ball is alive when it is legally tapped by one of the participants of a jump ball, released by a thrower-in or released on a free throw attempt.
If a player blatantly taunts an opponent, a technical foul shall be assessed. The opponent WILL NOT, automatically, be assessed a technical foul. His behavior will be the determining factor.
If a time-delay occurs and the opponent returns the taunts, he shall also be assessed a technical foul. Each technical foul shall carry a separate penalty and free throws will be attempted.
Simultaneous taunting, verbal altercations and unsportsmanlike conduct will continue to be administered as a double technical foul and NO free throws will be attempted.
A PLAYER(s) GUILTY OF TAUNTING MUST BE SINGLED OUT AND PENALIZED.
If a previous unsportsmanlike act has been committed and if this situation is BLATANT, a technical foul must be assessed and the guilty player(s) must be ejected.
